Expedition Central Of Laos Journeys
Vientiane Capital City-Vangvieng-Luangprabang’s World Heritage UNESCO Town
9 Days/8 Nights
OVERVIEWS:
Welcome to Vientiane Capital City Of Laos, its the meaning the name of Sandal Wood City, it’s beautifully located in a wide ben of mighty Mekong river, it closes to border of Thailand and It well know for its laid back charm and rich cultural tapestry, It’s evolved from an ancient of Khmer trading post to a royal capital city during 11 century until when the King Seththathirath moved ancient capital city of Lane Xang Kingdom(Land Of One Million Elephant Kingdom) from Luangprabang to Vientiane in 1560. It was the admirative capital during French ruled in 1893. Now a day, finally today’s rapidly developing political and economic peak central.
HIGHTLIGHTS:
Day1 : HANOI-VIENTIANE CAPITAL CITY
Sabaidee……Welcome to Vientiane! Arrival to Vientiane Airport (QV312 HAN-VTE 16:40 -17:50 hrs – arrival flight is not included) and after customs & immigration formalities, you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.(Vientiane Capital City Of Laos, its the meaning the name of Sandal Wood City, it’s beautifully located in a wide ben of mighty Mekong river, it closes to border of Thailand and It well know for its laid back charm and rich cultural tapestry, It’s evolved from an ancient of Khmer trading post to a royal capital city during 11 century until when the King Seththathirath moved ancient capital city of Lane Xang Kingdom(Land Of One Million Elephant Kingdom) from Luangprabang to Vientiane in 1560. And It was the admirative capital during French ruled in 1893. Now a day, finally today’s rapidly developing political and economic peak central).
Remain of your evening is leisure and dinner on your own arrangement.
Meals included: None
Accommodation: Salana Boutique Hotel, Amari Vientiane Hotel, Settha Palace Hotel, Lao Plaza Hotel, Crown Plaza Hotel
Day2: VIENTIANE CAPITAL CITY-FULL ORIENTATION TOUR
After your breakfast at 08:30 AM, depart with your local guide for visiting the highlights of the Capital city. The first to visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane and It was originally built by the King Anouvong in 1818 who was the last monarchy of Lane Xang Kingdom, Wat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and over 6,000 Buddha images. Interior of the main temple decorated beautiful mural painting pictures that depicted Buddhist and Hindu religions. Next visiting Haw Phra Kaew, once the royal temple of Lao monarchy. The main structure originally housed the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok. It was originally built by the King Seththathirath in 1565 who was warrior king of Lane Xang Kingdom who has brought Emerald Buddha from Chiangmai to Luangprabang.
Continue to visit Wat Si Muang, the site of the lák méuang (city pillar), which is considered the home of the guardian spirit of Vientiane. The large sǐm ordination hall was built during the reign of King Seththathirath in 1565 and it’s destroyed in 1828 and rebuilt in 1915 was constructed around the lák méuang, and consists of two halls. It is holy temple where Buddhist people like to come to pray for monk blessing which it is customary ritual to receive personal blessing by the monk chanting and sprinkle holy water on over your head with typing a holy cotton thread(saisin) around the wrist for bring the good fortunes, good luck, good health, good business, prosperity and longevity.
Another famous Vientiane landmark is the Phra That Luang stupa. King Sethtathirat built this great
sacred stupa in 1566, considered the national symbol. The originally stupa was said to contained relics of Lord Buddha, afterwards visiting PaTouXai, the victory gate also known as Anousavari and it’s constructed in 1958, its architecture is inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. Enjoy your lunch at Local Restaurant, after enjoy your lunch continue to visit the excellent COPE exhibition Centre, highlighting the Lao people’s continued day-to-day struggle with the unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War era. Afterwards we journey out of the town to visit one of Laos’ slightly stranger attractions Wat Xieng Khuan that people use to call Buddha Park. It was built in 1958 on the banks of the Mekong river is the site of a large collection of many kinds of Buddhist and Hindu Sculptures.
This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Vientiane Capital City.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Salana Boutique Hotel, Amari Vientiane Hotel, Settha Palace Hotel, Lao Plaza Hotel, Crown Plaza Hotel
Day3: VIENTIANE CAPITAL CITY-VANGVIENG
After your breakfast at 08:30 AM, depart with your local guide for overland drive to Vanvieng (the journey is approximately 140KM/ 2 hours drive by private mini van but it is depending on our activity along the road which is passing small villages along the scenic of road and it passes vegetable garden and sticky rice field of farmer with picturesque minority and areas of spectacular plantation scenery). The first to visit Morning Market(Thongkhankham market) where you will seek for daily life of local people which they sell their local products with variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, meats & fishes. Afterwards continue on driving to Ban Khuen Salt (Salt Village) to explore local people make the salt and the salt is made by traditionally with the supports of simple tools. Firstly, the water is pumped from below the ground into tanks which are heated by firewood in about 2 or 3 hours. After that they leave salt for drying about 24 hours before they’re packing it to be sole through the whole country of Laos. Especially, this is quite hard processing for woman to play the important role in controlling the heat and stirring the salt tanks until it’s completing to consume.
Continue to visit Namgum Lake where it was build by human labor in 1968 to 1971 for the Hydro Electric Power Dam which contributed electric power for Laotian people and besides that is mainly
income for Laos where they export it to Thailand, China & Vietnam .The lake is massive of fishing area of fishermen to make a life living. This is very impressive place where you will board on your private boat cruise for 2 hours to enjoy stunning scenery of a thousand of islands and visit one of small island where you will see local people weave bamboo baskets, bamboo trays, bamboo cages, sticky rice boxes. Enjoy your lunch on boat cruise and after enjoy your lunch continue your journey to Vangvieng.
Upon arrival in Vanvieng, Continue to visit THAM JANG CAVE, also called Steadfast Cave. The most famous of the cave which was the large carven was used as a Bunker in defense against marauding ( Yunannese or Chinese black flag armies) in early 19 century. It contains stunning from spark of limestone where possible to climb up the stairs 147 step to see amazing of styles tiles and styles miles. Afterwards transfer to hotel for check in and refresh up.
This evening enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Riverside Boutique Hotel, Amari Hotel, Tmark Hotel
Day4: VANGVIENG-FULL DAY TOUR
After your breakfast 08:00 AM, depart with your local guide and transferred to the north of Vangvieng 8 kilometers to visit Ban Phathao (Hmong Hill Tribe). You will do the short trek about 1 and half through the jungle and luscious rice fields to Tham Nam (Note: It will be a good choice to get wet cloths or bathing suits with holding the string and ride the tubing to access the Tham Nam Cave ), this cave where its spring water occurred the Nam Song river to feed the people in Vangvieng.
Continue to visit ThamXang cave, It is named after form stalactite and its fossils of wild elephants found inside the cave. Tham Xang’s most significant feature is the small cave’s collection of Buddha figures and a Buddha’s “footprint”. Enjoy your lunch at Local restaurant, after enjoy your lunch take your private Mini Van transfer to Nam Song river bank to enjoy your Kayak along Nam Song river for 1 and half hour. You will meet your kayak local guide who teach you instructions and some experience Nam Song river to you to understanding clearly and you will enjoy your Kayaking along Nam Song river. You will explore stunning scenery of mountain karts along the side of the river and seek for life living of local people who live along the river.
This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Vangvieng town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Riverside Boutique Hotel, Amari Hotel, Tmark Hotel
Day5: VANGVIENG-LUANGPRABANG
After your breakfast 09:00 AM, depart with your local guide and transferred to the train station to board on fast train to Luangprabang (The journey is approximately 260KM/ 1 hour and 20 minutes drive by speed train but it is depending on condition of the weather , the train will drive pass small villages along the scenic of road and vegetable garden and sticky rice field of farmer with picturesque minority and areas of spectacular plantation scenery). On arrival in Luang Prabang, transfer to your hotel for check-in.
And then set out for sightseeing for visiting Wat Xieng Thong was built during the reign of the King seththathirath in 1560 and it often said to be Luang Prabang’s most beautiful temple in Laos. It is characterized by its several roofs sweeping low to the ground and the impressive “tree of life” mosaic, And its temple was home to placed the Emerald Buddha before the king seththathirath moved the Capital City of Lan Xang from Xiengthong kingdom to Vientiane Capital City. Continue to visit Luang Prabang’s National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace which displaying a lovely collection of personal artifacts from the former Laotian Royal Family including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries.
Next visiting Wat Mai – built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden sim epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Afterwards it is your prime time to climb up to Phousi Hill,
located in the center of Luang Prabang, for panoramic views of the city and surroundings(Note: Concerning who aren’t interesting to climb up Phousi Hill that you can enjoy your coffee, tea, drinks and enjoy your shopping around at the center of the town that you can seeking for beautiful French colonial and lao Franco architectures about 40 minutes to return to our appointment point).
Transfer to hotel for check in and refresh up. This evening, if not raining take a walk Luangprabang’s fabulous open air Night Market with your local guide, where there is an overwhelming selection of handicrafts on display. Much of the items being sold has been produced by locals from the many small ethnic minority villages surrounding Luangprabang town.
This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Luangprabang town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Banlao Hotel, Satri House Hotel, Villa Maly Hotel, Villa Santi Hotel, Avani+ Hotel , Sofitel Hotel, Kiridara Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day6: LUANGPRABANG-BAN XANGKHONG(HANDICRAFT & PAPER)VILLAGE-BOAT CRUISE TO PAK OU CAVE
After your breakfast at 08:30 AM, depart with your local guide to transfer to visit Ban Xangkhong (Handicraft & Paper Village) where you will discover local weavers weave their natural cotton and silk textiles, and besides that you will see local people make Mulberry paper(Sa paper) by using mulberry barks which it was descendent from a hundred years. There is an overwhelming selection of hand make handicrafts on display. Much of the items have been made by local people in this village ect: Writing book, Note books, Photo album, Picture flames, Fan, Shopping bag, Painting picture, Post card and variety of gifts.
Afterwards head down to the Mekong river to enjoy river boat trip for approximately 2 hours to visit the famous and sacred Pak Ou Caves (Buddha Caves). Pak Ou caves have been home to many four thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Today many people still pay respect to this tradition. Along impressive boat cruise take a stop to visit Ban Xanghai (Whisky Village) where you will see local people distill Moonshine which it’s made of sticky rice that you will taste real spirit like Lao Lao whisky only 55 percent of alcohol. And the red color whisky is quite sweet like rice wine only 15 percent of alcohol with variety of Centerpiece, Snake, Scorpion, Gecko whiskies ect. Enjoy your lunch at Local restaurant opposite the impressive and stunning view of
landscape, after enjoy your lunch return to the boat to journey down to Luangprabang, transfer to hotel to relax and refresh up.
This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Luang Prabang town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Banlao Hotel, Satri House Hotel, Villa Maly Hotel, Villa Santi Hotel, Avani+ Hotel, Sofitel Hotel, Kiridara Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day07: LUANGPRABANG-LIVINGLAND FARM-KHUANGXI WATERFALL-COOKING CLASS
After your breakfast at 8:00 AM, depart with your local guide to Living Land Farm where you will meet & greet immediately by local farmer guide who came bouncing down the path, full of energy and unbridled enthusiasm. This really is a fantastic time for you to have experience to learn about lao agriculture of being famers to get opportunity to get local famer’s tools and water buffalo to plough the rice fields, prepare nursery, planting rice, harvesting rice, milling rice, cooking rice. This afternoon they will serve you some tasting snacks, sugarcane juice drinks & Lao lao whisky (Recommendable to wear comfortable, shorts with light and breathable clothes and ready to get dirt muddy but you should escort your change cloths where you can change it).
Continue on your journey to visit Khuangxi Waterfall(The Journey is approximately 25 KM/ 30 minutes drive by private mini van but it is depending on our activity along the road which is passing small villages along the scenic of road and it passes vegetable garden and sticky rice field of farmer with picturesque minority). The waterfalls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. The water here has a clear blue-green tint due to the high mineral content and it is really pleasant place to swim. And then take your time to observe and visit “ Bear Rescue Centre ” where they conserve the black bears in the northern part of Laos. Enjoy Lao-Style picnic lunch near by the falls. Afterward return to hotel by late afternoon for relax.
This evening at 18:00 PM, transfer with your local guide to local restaurant for Cooking Class Experience, and you will meet and greet by your Local Master Chief who will be pleased to demonstrate about cooking authentic Lao foods. You’ll be able to pick up your own ingredients for the dishes that you will prepare for your cooking, you’ll be taught how to cook a variety of local dishes, enough for a full meals. You’ll learn how to make Lao spicy dipping sauces, Mok Pa is steamed fish wrapped in banna leaves, Lemongrass stuffed with chicken and herbs, Laap, Desserts and more. You’ll make of these delicious creations under the careful guidance of your instructor and your own recipe book. Not only will you can get a taste of the food you made, but you’ll be able to bring home the recipe book and continue making delicious creations.
This evening enjoy dinner at a Cooking place.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lao-Style picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Banlao Hotel, Satri House Hotel, Villa Maly Hotel, Villa Santi Hotel, Avani+ Hotel, Sofitel Hotel, Kiridara Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day8: MONK ALMS GIVING-ELEPHANT SHORT TREKKING-BACI CEREMONY
This morning at 05:30 AM, there is the opportunity to start the day very early with one of the most memorable sights of Luang Prabang – the “Tak Bat”. At dawn hundreds of saffron robed monks move silently through the streets to collect alms (offerings of food). Your guide will explain the background behind this ritual which is still very much a part of everyday life and you will have the chance to make ‘merit’. It’s early but well worth the wake- up call!! Return to hotel for breakfast.
After your breakfast at 08:30 AM, depart with your local guide to Mandala Lao Elephant Conservation, it is sanctuary to rescues pachyderms from logging camp and exploitative tourism. And you will meet your elephant local guide who will explain you about the story of the elephants and enjoy your feeding tasty foods, fruits for the elephants before having experience for short trekking about 2,5 Kilometers, You will walk through the jungle and luscious rice fields alongside two adults elephants. Enjoy your lunch at Local restaurant on the side of Namkhan river bank where you will have impressive your spectacular view. After enjoy your lunch return to Luangprabang town or Hotel for relax and enjoy your swimming at the pool. Or your prime time to have optional for experience to spend for one and half hours or two hours to try Traditional Lao Massage at Local Spa in the Central of the city which you will be pleased to have variety for selecting body, foot with oil or no oil massage for treatment your body(Note: Your local guide will be escorted you to book the massage at Local Spa for you. But concerning for this optional is on your own budgets).
This evening at 18:00 PM, transfer out with your local guide to meet senor people and Shaman to be honest to do Baci Ceremony for you as well as to celebrate a special event, whether a marriage, a home welcoming, one of the annual festivals and welcome a baby birth, a mother is given a baci after she has recovered form a birth, the sick are given baci to facilitate a cure, officials are honored by baci, and novices, monks are wished luck with a baci before entering the temple. The Baci ceremony can take place any day of the week and all year long, preferably before noon or before sunset. The term more commonly used is su kwan, which means “calling of the soul”.
This evening enjoy farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Luangprabang town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lao-Style picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Banlao Hotel, Satri House Hotel, Villa Maly Hotel, Villa Santi Hotel, Avani+ Hotel, Sofitel Hotel, Kiridara Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day9: LUANGPRABANG-DEPARTURE
After your breakfast, relax or explore the charming town on your own until time to transfer out to Luang Prabang Airport for your departure flight to LPQ-BKK by flight PG942 LPQ -BKK at 12:20AM ., LPQ-REP by flight VN931 LPQ-REP at 14:45PM ., LPQ-HAN by flight QV313 LPQ – HAN at 17:10 PM., LPQ-HAN by flight QV315 LPQ-HAN at 08:30 AM.
(Please note that hotel check-out time is usually 12 noon, Please ask your local guide to get late check out from hotel but Normally check-in time for international flights is normally 2 hours prior to departure)
Meals: Breakfast
LAOS Tour Prices Included:
+Accommodation at your selected hotel with breakfast daily
+Meals as indicated in the itinerary (food only)
+Transfer and included sightseeing as specified on a private basis
+Private boat cruise along the Nam Ngum lake
+Private Kayak along the Nam Song river
+Service of English speaking local guide for included sightseeing and transfers
+Speed train ticket from Vangvieng-Luangprabang city
+Mighty Mekong river to Pak Ou Caves
+Elephant trekking
+Cooking class experience
+Baci ceremony
+Entrance fees to all included sites visited
+Service charge, room tax and baggage handling
+NTA and Laos Government Tax
+Bottled water provided on transport during transfers
NOT Included:
-Meals and other services than those mentioned in above inclusion
-Any optional sightseeing excursions or additional visits not outlined in itinerary
-Laotian visa fee (Laos visa on arrival presently US$ 30-35 for passport holders, plus 1 passport sized photo.
-Often an extra US$ 1 or so will be charged on weekends or holidays as an overtime fee).
-International arrival flight to/from Laos and airport departure tax
-Excess Baggage fees or charges levied by Airlines
-Drinks, tips and other personal expenditures (e.g. telephone, laundry, souvenirs and etc.…)
-Personal Travel Insurance
-Tips/Gratuities to guides/drivers/boat man